specific learning difficulties, disabilities and disorders

Dyslexia

Dyslexia in gifted children can sometimes be hard to detect. So much so, that it even has its own special name ‘stealth dyslexia’. Check out the video below to get an idea of how dyslexia can be masked in gifted children and the signs to look out for. Additionally, this is a great factsheet outlining signs of stealth dyslexia and how to recognise the condition.

The below slide show is similar to the video but goes into somewhat more depth:

With dyslexia comes a host of strengths as well as different preferred learning styles. Think that dyslexia could stand in your child’s way? With the right support and a healthy dollop of optimism and resilience this isn’t the case. Check out this list of famous dyslexics , including Steve Jobs and Roald Dahl; you might just be surprised!

Dyspraxia

A great article looking at dyspraxia and the gifted child. This factsheet from the NAGC is worth a read by gifted children who have dyspraxia. It also offers some recommendations of books that children may want to read for thmselves to help them understand their dyspraxia. This is a fabulous pdf. that examines both dyspraxia and dyslexia, it examines biological and cognitive issues as well as learning styles and much more.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a learning difficulty that is specifically linked to problems with handwriting. You can find out more about dysgraphia in gifted children in this article. For a more general description of dysgraphia a good definition can be found here.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a difficulty that relates to a range of maths related learning problems. For more information then look at this website. For further information and resources also check out this blog.

Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Central Auditory Processing Disorder, or CAPD, is a hearing difficulty that sometimes goes undetected. It is not something that can be diagnosed from a regular hearing test. A child with CAPD does not have a problem with their hearing, they have a problem processing the sounds they hear. This factsheet provides a wealth of information on how CAPD can present in gifted children.

Sensory processing disorder and sensory integration issues relate to a difficulty regulating sensory perception. The National Association for Gifted Children have put together a great factsheet outlining sensory processing issues in the gifted child. For more information on gifted children and SPD then please have a look at this brief academic article, and for more information on the asynchronous development of gifted kids as it relates to sensory issues then click here .

If you want some help with assessments to determine if your child may be twice-exceptional please check out the ‘sites we like’ page .

Gifted and Talented Programs: 21st Dec 2015
Applications for the 2016 round of testing for WA's Gifted and Talented Programs are now open. For more information please see the Department of Education's website.
You can also find further information here: Gifted Education in Western Australia
Very best wishes to everyone sitting the test :)....

Making Friends: 16th Dec 2015 "Making friends can be hard for any child, but for socially awkward gifted children or twice-exceptional kiddos, the challenge is only multiplied. While their brains are working on overdrive, and they can have an intelligent conversation with an adult expert in the field in which they are interested, put them in...

Did you know...: 9th Nov 2015 Did you know that parents are often the most accurate identifiers of their child's giftedness? Macquarie University's Special Education Centre advise schools to:
"Take parents seriously if they ask for more challenge or for investigation of their child’s abilities. Some parents are hesitant to make the first move, so invite all...

"Your Mental Health is More Important than your Grades": 27th Oct 2015 As the frenzy of exam season arrives here in Australia, and recent research suggests that those most at risk of falling prey to exam anxiety are gifted girls, it's a good time to take stock and remember that grades are not the bee-all and end-all.
"It's no joke. A recent report from the...

Neglecting Our Brightest Students: 19th Oct 2015 "The smartest kid in class, by contrast, is not an expensive problem. A boy or girl who finishes an assignment early can be handed a book and told to read quietly while the teacher works on getting other children caught up. What would clearly be neglect if it happened to...

Giftedness: The Word That Dare Not Speak Its Name?: 27th Sep 2015
Many people, including educators and academics, state that we should not use the term 'gifted'. To be honest, there are better words that I believe suit gifted children: asynchronous, cognitively advanced, and so the list goes on! However, whilst ‘gifted’ is a loaded term, and one that is unfortunately all...